The old expression that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades sort of described Joppa High School Lady Rangers’ first-ever varsity volleyball match with Century on Monday.

After Century took the junior varsity match rather easily, the main event went decidedly different. Joppa fell behind early in the first game but rallied to hold a two-point lead at 20-18 with Gabby Wrye serving.

But the possibility of winning their first-ever match seemed to unnerve the girls a little and Century took seven of the last nine points for a 25-22 win.

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